A small donor revolution is necessary to combat the role of Super PACs, corporations, lobbyists and bundlers in influencing federal elections and government decisions.
On August 22, 2012, Democracy 21 and the Brennan Center issued a report and proposed a new system for financing federal elections. The proposed system is based on empowering citizens in the political process by matching up to $250 of a citizen’s contribution with public funds at a 5 to 1 ratio.
The proposal was described by a New York Times editorial (August 22, 2012) as “a plan that could restore a voice to ordinary citizens.”
The New York Times New York Reform = Public Financing By: the Editorial Board The recent arrests of a state senator and an assemblyman appear to have reminded Gov. Andrew Cuomo of his overdue promise to begin cleaning up Albany’s swamp of corruption. This week he announced several important proposals to end the political lawlessness, …
Read More →The New York Times Give Small Political Donors a Voice August 23, 2012 The Congressional race between two incumbent Democrats in the redrawn 30th District in California is one of the most expensive in the country, but it is hardly unusual in reflecting the influence of big donors. Howard Berman has raised $3.5 million, while …
Read More →The New York Times An Idea Worth Saving Public financing of presidential elections, the greatest reform to come out of the post-Watergate era, died this year after a long illness. It was 36 years old, and was drowned by big money and starved by the disdain of politicians who should have known better. From 1976 …
Read More →Below is an editorial from Sunday’s New York Times entitled, "Trashing the lessons of Watergate." The editorial opposes efforts in Congress to end the presidential public financing system. Also below is a release last week from the Committee for Economic Development, a non-profit, non-partisan organization of more than 200 business leaders and university presidents. The …
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